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Typical Application
N-Series MasterSwitch connects up to 17 ports
Basic Concepts MasterSwitch interconnects your computers and
peripherals using their common serial and parallel interfaces. Any port
can connect to another port. By sending a command or accessing a
menu, you can choose the destination of your data. MasterSwitch
activates port connections as you send data from your application or
print program. If the selected destination is busy, the data is queued in
the buffer until the destination port is available. The heart of the
MasterSwitch is its powerful queuing system, which takes multiple
input data and routes it to multiple outputs. Using the job control menu
or a simple keyboard entry, you can view the list of jobs at any time,
even while printing. You can see where the job originated, its
destination, it’s status, and the amount of buffer used. You can
suspend, release, or cancel any of the jobs listed.
MasterSwitch Models MasterSwitch is available in three series.
The standard, MS-Series are 5 or 9-port models configured as all serial,
all parallel, or a mix of serial and parallel. The Universal, MSU-Series
models are the most flexible. The 3, 6, or 9-port models are each
programmable for serial or parallel operation. The Networking, MSN-
Series models are 4, 8, 12, or 16-serial ports, 1-parallel port and support
file transfer at 115.2K bits/second.
Buffer Memory The buffer memory is dynamically allocated and is
available to all ports. The basic unit has 64K, expandable to 4 MB. The
amount of buffer needed depends upon the application. If there is a lot
of data coming in simultaneously, you are sending large jobs, or your
outputs are slow devices, throughput can be increased by expanding
the buffer size.
Cables MasterSwitch ports use commonly available serial and
parallel cables. Cables are ordered by length and connector type.
Configuration To configure the MasterSwitch, access its
configuration menu, select the types of devices you are connecting, and
choose their communication settings. Serial port settings are
individually programmable and all ports can be defined as input or
output. You can also program initialization strings, default destinations,
time-out settings, port groupings, menu access, priority, and port
names. Configuration settings are stored in the switch’s non-volatile
memory.
Commands MasterSwitch offers maximum job control, accepting
over 20 commands via simple keyboard commands or pop-up menus.
You can easily change a device’s destination port or access the job
control menu. Commands can be sent in several other ways such as
from a batch file or an application program. Extensive features are
supported for printer, plotter, and modem sharing, port contention and
data collection.
MasterLink Each unit comes with MasterLink, a pop-up PC program
that makes it easy for you to send commands and access menus.
MasterLink also has a terminal emulator program that provides pop-up
interactive communication with the switch.
Part Numbers
Standard models MS-Series
MS-5S 5-serial ports
MS-9S 9-serial ports
MS-5P 5-parallel ports
MS-9P 9-parallel ports
MS-7S2P 7-serial, 2-parallel ports
Universal models U-Series
MSU-3SP 3-ports, programmable as serial or parallel
MSU-6SP 6-ports, programmable as serial or parallel
MSU-9SP 9-ports, programmable as serial or parallel
Networking models N-Series
MSN-4S1P 4-serial, 1 parallel port
MSN-8S1P 8-serial, 1 parallel port
MSN-12S1P 12-serial, 1 parallel port
MSN-16S1P 16-serial, 1 parallel port
Buffer options, expandable to 4 megabyte
/2X 256K buffer /5X 512K buffer
/10X 1MB buffer /20X 2MB buffer
/40X 4MB buffer
Specifications
Serial Ports
Electrical Asynchronous RS232 -9 to + 9 volts
Protocol DTR/DSR, X-ON/X-OFF flow control
Baud Rate 50-19,200 baud (115,200 for MSN Series)
Word Length 5, 6, 7, or 8
Parity odd, even, mark, space, or none
Stop bits 1 or 2
Parallel Ports
Electrical TTL Levels
Protocol Centronics compatible STB/ACK/BUSY
Other
Dimensions 10.5" W x 5.0" D x 3.9" H
26.7 W x 12.7 D x 9.9 H (cm)
Weight 3-5 port 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
9-port 7 lbs (3.2 kg)
13-17-port 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
Power Auto Switching, 90 - 240 VAC, external adapter
MSN Series: 110VAC/16.5VAC, 1.45A
MS parallel models:110VAC / 9VDC, 1.0A
220VAC / 9VDC, 1.0A
MS/MSU serial models:110VAC / 17VAC 700ma
220VAC / 17VAC 750ma
Connectors MS Series: Ser-DB25F; Par-Centronics 36F
MSU/MSN Series: Ser-RJ45 jack; Par-DB25F
Signal Lines Serial: 4 signals (XMIT, RCV, DSR, DTR)
Parallel: 12 signals switched/inputs
5 signals steady or unused
Rack Mount 19" or 23”
Chassis Beige powder coated, steel enclosure
Indicators Port select LEDs: 0-8
Status LEDs: Power, Buffer, Data, Busy
Environment 32° - 131°F / 0°- 55° C - 0%-80% non-cond. RH
Rear view of models MS-9S, MSU-9SP, MSN-16S1P